The New Jersey Devils face the New York Islanders with both teams looking to start the season strong. The Devils won their first game of the season after two losses to start the year while the Islanders have won back-to-back games following their opening night loss. Both teams are looking to have big years in the Metropolitan Division and the upcoming game should be a great one as a result.
The Devils are looking to have a big season but hope the offense can step up, scoring only eight goals in their first three games. Jesper Bratt, Dawson Mercer, and Jack Hughes have scored a goal and eight assists to lead the top two lines while Dougie Hamilton is adding two goals and an assist from the point but the rest of the offense has struggled. The hope is that Miles Wood and Ondrej Palat can step up as they play a pivotal role in the top two lines but have only scored two goals to start the season.
The offense hopes to step up but the defense has let the Devils down this season, allowing 12 goals in their first three games. Dougie Hamilton and Jonas Siegenthaler have led the top defensive pairing but the rest of the unit has struggled, allowing opponents to generate shots on the net at will. Moreover, goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood hopes to improve in the net as he's allowed six goals on only 44 shots.